By Ennety Munshya
President Hakainde Hichilema has announced that all government institutions will now acquire only electric vehicles, citing instability in global fuel supplies caused by geopolitical tensions.
Speaking during the official opening of the First Session of the 14th National Assembly on Friday, President Hichilema said the government would work with the private sector to develop charging infrastructure across the country.
He urged businesses, cooperating partners and citizens to embrace the transition to what he described as cleaner, more affordable and self-reliant transport.
The President did not specify when the policy would be fully implemented or how much the transition would cost.
The announcement comes as the government has restored excise duty on fuel this month, following the temporary removal of taxes intended to cushion consumers against rising international fuel prices.
President Hichilema said the decision to restore excise duty followed a review of the tax waivers, as the government sought to sustain spending on programmes including free education, the Constituency Development Fund, school feeding and social cash transfers.
He also announced plans to review the Energy Regulation Board’s monthly fuel pricing mechanism as part of efforts to establish a more secure, predictable and efficient petroleum supply system.
The Ministry of Energy would also implement a fuel-blending strategy aimed at reducing Zambia’s fuel import bill and supporting the local ethanol industry, he said.
In the wider energy sector, President Hichilema pledged to expand electricity generation capacity to 10,000 megawatts, with increased private-sector participation in generation, transmission and distribution.
The announcements form part of the government’s Grow Zambia Agenda, which sets out its economic and development priorities for the next five years.
In the mining sector, President Hichilema reiterated the government’s target of increasing annual copper production to three million tonnes.
He said the national geological mapping programme was nearing completion to facilitate further mineral exploration, while the government would streamline licensing and accelerate the formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining operations.
The President also called for safer mining practices, saying all mining activities must be legal, commercially viable and conducted without threatening national peace and security.
President Hichilema said his administration’s focus during its first term had been on restoring macroeconomic stability, while the next five years would concentrate on translating those gains into improved living standards, jobs and business opportunities for Zambians.
Photos: Hichilema's Facebook Page
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